Brison Ricker (left) playing soccer for the Red Hawk Varsity Soccer team in the fall of 2015, before he began showing symptoms of brain cancer. Courtesy photo.

By Judy Reed

By all accounts, Brison Ricker, 16, was a fighter. But his fight with DIPG, a rare and deadly childhood brain tumor called Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine glioma (DIPG), came to an end Saturday morning, December 23, when he passed into the arms of his Lord and Savior.

Brison, the son of Brian and Kim Ricker, of Nelson Township, and brother to Preston, 14, was a happy, athletic, well-liked teen with a strong faith in Jesus Christ. Before his symptoms began in the fall of 2015, he loved riding dirt bikes with Preston, and playing soccer. According to Kim, Brison raced motocross and supercross, and came in second place in the state for the two classes he raced in. He also was on the Varsity soccer team as a freshman that fall and voted offensive player of the year.

Brison Ricker at age 9, with his father, Brian. He played soccer and was training for the Riverbank Run. Courtesy photo.

Brison also loved to run; the Post ran a story on Brison in 2010 when he was nine years old and a third grader at Beach Elementary. He was training to run the Riverbank run—and his dad was going to run with him.

In 2012, we reported he won first place for boys in the 55m dash at Cedar View, as well as first place in the 100m dash for 11-12-year old boys at the Hershey Track and Field meet that summer.

Brison’s symptoms started around Thanksgiving 2015—dizziness and blurred vision. By January he had a diagnosis of DIPG, which is nearly always fatal and lacks an effective treatment, according to Stanford University.

According to a news article from Stanford’s medicine news, DIPG affects 200-400 school-aged children in the United States each year and has a five-year survival rate of less than 1 percent; half of patients die within nine months of diagnosis. Radiation gives only a temporary reprieve from the tumor’s growth. In addition, it is inoperable.

By June of 2016, their oncologist advised them to bring in hospice because there was nothing more they could do. It was then that Kim and Brian sought alternative treatment for Brison through the Burzynski Clinic. However, it was not covered by insurance. And the community then began to put on numerous fundraisers to try to help the Rickers fund the expenses related to Brison’s treatment—fundraisers which continued through this Christmas season.

Brison and his younger brother, Preston.

By December 2016, the Rickers found that Preston also had cancer—not DIPG but thyroid cancer, for which he underwent conventional treatment.

Brison had a lot of ups and downs medically, but the treatment did shrink the tumor and the area where it was located (the pons) eventually became scar tissue. Unfortunately, the cancer eventually spread to his spleen and other parts of his brain.

Toward the end, he could not hear or see, and had become unresponsive. The Rickers called in hospice last week, and a prayer vigil was held at their home on Friday evening, December 22. Brison then passed away on Saturday morning.

“He fought so hard until the end, he had big dreams with the determination, perseverence, and talent to make those dreams come true and he did not want to leave this earth,” Kim wrote on her Facebook page. “Brison had unwavering faith until the end and believed he would be healed. Now he is playing soccer and racing dirt bikes in heaven.”

She also thanked those who have supported them. “Thank You to everyone who has provided love and support to our family over the past 23 months since Brison was diagnosed. Our mission to save him did not end with success, but because of so many of you who selflessly gave we were able to provide treatment that extended his life and time with us for an extra 18 months. We made so many memories during that time. He celebrated is 16th birthday, he went to high school dances, we went on vacations, and became closer than ever before. That is time our family will always be grateful for.”

Brison’s funeral will be held on Saturday December 30 at Resurrection Life Church in Rockford at noon, with visitation from 10 to noon. See his obituary here.

Brison is the third Cedar Springs student to pass away this year. Earlier this fall, Emma Orr, a student at Beach Elementary passed away from terminal neuroblastoma; and Cora Gonzalez, a 5th grader at Cedar View, passed away after being hit by a car.

Edith L. M. Boss 96 formerly of Sand Lake passed away Sunday, October 8, 2017, at Clark Retirement Community, Grand Rapids. Mrs. Boss was born June 9, 1921, in Petoskey, Michigan the daughter of Alfred and Julia (Pierson) Heynig. A loving & devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend & Christian woman. Edie (as she preferred) loved spending time laughing, telling stories, jokes, singing and volunteering time to build God’s kingdom. She was able to travel the world with the love of her life, Bill. She told her nurse & friend Ricki, “When we traveled Bill would be in charge of the camera equipment & I the children.” Then they’d have a big laugh. She loved her church family, Christian service & looked forward to sharing her time, talents & treasures to build God’s kingdom. She looked forward to her weekly trips collecting items and food to donate to organizations like Helping Hands in Howard City. After living in Sand Lake for decades she & Bill moved into Clark Retirement Community in Grand Rapids. At Clark, she spent a lot of time encouraging her friends in the nursing unit to eat. She created stained glass lamps & night lights used as fund-raisers. She also participated in their young children’s reading program. Everyone who knew Edie said she lived her life with an uplifting & positive spirit, sharing the love of Christ with everyone. Edie will be remembered with love. We will remember how with every sunrise she prayed for her family and praised “God’s beautiful paintbrush.” On behalf of all her family, we’d like to thank you for your support and prayers. We wish all of you Christ Jesus’ peace and comfort. God bless and keep you. Surviving are her children Gregory Boss, William (Rebecca) Boss, Laurae Stumpf; grandchildren, Marie (Roy) Meyers, Becca Boss, Adam (Alexis) Stumpf, Jeffrey (Bonnie) Boss; four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, William; daughter-in-law, Pamela; grandson, Mark; brother, Charles Heynig all in Heaven. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 14 at 10:00 am at Clark Retirement Community, 1551 Franklin St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI. Interment Sand Lake Cemetery.

Mr. George C. Allington, age 91, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, July 9, 2016. George was born in Cedar Springs in 1925, he lived in Solon Township most of his life. George grew up on Lime Lake and attended Christian Hill School, and Cedar Springs Jr. High and High School. George joined the Army on April 12, 1944, served in the European Theater, and was wounded at the Battle of the Bulge on December 24, 1944. He received a Purple Heart, and the European Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Stars. He married Eldona “Donie” Louise Weller just before leaving for World War II, in August 1944. She preceded him in death in April of 2013. Upon return, they purchased a farm in Solon Township on Hanna Avenue and raised six children. George and Donie were married for 69 years. They operated a dairy farm for over 30 years. George also worked out at Rapistan, Sparta Foundry, Standard Oil, and Wolverine Brass in Grand Rapids until retirement. He was a charter member of the Pioneer Christian Reformed Church in Cedar Springs and served as a Deacon, Elder, and a Sunday School Teacher. After retirement, George and Donie served with Christian Reformed World Relief—now known as World Renew—and Appalachia Reach Out. On September 28, 2014 married Marilyn Baas and they had two happy years together. George is survived by his loving wife Marilyn, children, Dr. Richard (Dr. Ann McGill Franzen) Allington, Allen (HongXia) Allington, Len (Kimberly) Allington, David (Paula) Allington, Mary (Kim) Coonen, and Dale (Marcey) Allington. George was also blessed with 19 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild. There will be a time of visitation on Tuesday, July 12, 2016 from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, at 11:00 AM at Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford with Rev. Jacob Heerema officiating. Interment will be at Solon Township Cemetery under the auspices of the Kent County Veteran’s Honor Guard and the United State Army. Memorials to: World Renew, 1700 28th Street, Grand Rapids, MI 49508.

Emily L. Gates 91 of Cedar Springs, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at Metron of Cedar Springs with her family by her side. Emily was born June 15, 1924 in Forest Grove, MI the daughter of John and Elizabeth (DeKleine) VanOss. She was a loving wife, mother and homemaker who enjoyed handwork – knitting, crocheting and cross-stitch. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church, Cedar Springs where she served as a deaconess. Surviving are her sons, Lohryn (Debbi), David, Dan (Carole), Karl “Johnny” (Vicki), Kevin (Valerie), Lance (Kim); 24 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; sister, Karen (Al) Kunzi; brothers, Howard Van Oss, Robert (Verna) VanOss; sister-in-law, Ruth VanOss; brother-in-law, Lyman (Joan) Gates. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan in 1975; sister, Dorothy (Robert) Crater; brother, Richard Van Oss; great granddaughter, Piper. The family will greet friends Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. The service will be held Wednesday 11:00 am at First Baptist Church, 233 S. Main St. Cedar Springs. Pastor Dan Currie officiating. Interment Elmwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Missionary Fund or Hospice of Michigan.

Leonard J. Haggerty, 90, of St. Louis, Michigan, died Saturday, February 6, 2016 at his home. Mr. Haggerty was born May 9, 1925 in Pine Woods, New York, the son of Walter and Edith (Krebser) Haggerty. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II for 30 months. He completed basic training in Macon, Georgia, and then went to the Hawaiian Islands. After the service, Leonard worked at Darrick’s Greenhouse in Cooperstown, New York. In 1947 he left with Victor and Lee Sessions to come to Michigan. He met the love of his life, Charlotte and worked greenhouses in Chicago and Cadillac until he bought his own in Ludington, Michigan. He and Charlotte worked there for 30 years before retiring at age 67. They then moved to Conklin, Michigan near Ravenna. Charlotte passed away in 2009 and Leonard moved to St. Louis, Michigan in 2011.

Visitation will be held Saturday, February 13 from 11:00 am until time of service at 1:00 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs. Pastor Randy Brandon officiating. Private interment in the spring at Solon Township Cemetery.

Mr. Donald Jon Roelofs, age 62 of Howard City, passed away unexpected Thursday, November 26, 2015, at his home. He was born to Howard and Beatrice (Boersen) Roelofs on October 6, 1953, in Zeeland, Mich. He served his country and flag in the United States Army. Don worked for Blackmer Pump for 30 years. In his free time, he enjoyed fishing and driving his dune buggy on the sand dunes at Silver Lake State Park. He also enjoyed walking the Lake Michigan beach and watching the sunsets. He is survived by his soul mate, Kathy; mother, Beatrice; brothers, Gary (Susan) Roelofs, Martin (Sally) Roelofs, Douglas Roelofs; sisters, Linda (Bruce) McGoffin, Gloria (Gerry) Gebhardt, Sandra (Ron) Starr, Beth (Mitch) Cole. He was preceded in death by his father, Howard; sister, Susan. There will be a time of visitation with the family from 5:00-8:00 pm Tuesday, December 1, 2015, at the Pederson Funeral Home, 127 N. Monroe St., Rockford, MI 49341. The funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 2, 2015, at the Pederson Funeral Home. There will also be a time of visitation one hour prior to the service. Those wishing to offer gifts of sympathy are encouraged to donate to a charity of your choice in Donald’s name.
Arrangements by Pederson Funeral Home, pedersonfuneralhome.com.

Dorothy A. Parker, 74 of Sand Lake, passed away Friday, December 5, 2014. Dorothy was born October 18, 1940 in Pierson, MI. She was a 1958 graduate of Howard City High School. She enjoyed making wedding flowers, loved to cook and had a great sense of humor. She loved her family tremendously. Surviving are her husband, Leon “L.D.”; sons, Gene (Kimberly), Jeff (Terri), Jamie (Sarah); grandchildren, Jake, Tyllor, Amy, Tayllor, Trenton, Tanner, Trinity; great grandson, Jace; sister, Joan (Jim) Ostrander; sister-in-law, Doris Parker; nieces and nephews. The family will greet friends Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Bliss-Witters & Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs, where services will be held Wednesday 11:00 am. Ross Merlington officiating. Interment Sand Lake Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to RAI Care Center, Rockford.

Mrs. Marjorie “Marge” B. Beardslee, age 106, went home to her Lord and Savior on Saturday, February 15, 2014. Born on December 1, 1907 to Abner and Cora Hillman and was raised in Lakeview, for which she was so pound of her “country” heritage. Marge attended Central Michigan University and taught for both the rural school system and for the Kent City District. Marge and her husband Wendell owned and operated an art store in Cedar Springs, where she was able to express her immeasurable love for oil painting and had become the accomplished artist that she was. Marge is survived by her son Robert D. (Eileen) Brimmer; fourteen grandchildren; 35 great grand children; 26 great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and very special friend Gertrude. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, Wendell J. Beardslee; daughter and son-in-law Sharon and Norman Pike; her parents; brother Roy Hillman; and sister Gladys Hashover. A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 19, 2014 at Pederson Funeral Home, 127 N. Monroe Street NE, Rockford, MI 49341. The funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 20, 2014, Pastor Ken Menefee officiating at Pederson Funeral Home. Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 129 Jefferson Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503; or to Mel Trotter Ministries, 225 Commerce Avenue SW, Grand Rapids, MI 49506.

Cindy Musshorn, age 47, of Cedar Springs, passed away on Tuesday, November 1, 2011. She grew up in the Catholic faith and continued to honor her faith. Cindy enjoyed a simple life style and was a very loving grandmother to her granddaughters. She liked holidays and caring for her dogs. Cindy is survived by her daughter, Melanie Musshorn of Grand Rapids, and Amanda Musshorn of Cedar Springs; her granddaughters, Breanna, Julia, and Belle; her parents, Carl Musshorn and his wife, Barbara of Plant City, FL, and Kathleen Musshorn of Newington, CT; sisters, Carleen Kalweit of Holton, and Michele (Jerry) Barnett; and nephews, Tyler Avery, Ryan Avery, Jake Barnett, and Josh Barnett. Honoring her wishes, cremation has taken place with services planned out east. Arrangements by Pederson Funeral Home, Rockford www.pedersonfuneralhome.com